1
|
Thomson AR, Pasanta D, Arichi T, Puts NA. Neurometabolite differences in Autism as assessed with Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 162:105728. [PMID: 38796123 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to quantify the concentrations of metabolites in the brain in vivo. MRS findings in the context of autism are inconsistent and conflicting. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of MRS studies measuring glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as well as brain metabolites involved in energy metabolism (glutamine, creatine), neural and glial integrity (e.g. n-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline, myo-inositol) and oxidative stress (glutathione) in autism cohorts. Data were extracted and grouped by metabolite, brain region and several other factors before calculation of standardised effect sizes. Overall, we find significantly lower concentrations of GABA and NAA in autism, indicative of disruptions to the balance between excitation/inhibition within brain circuits, as well as neural integrity. Further analysis found these alterations are most pronounced in autistic children and in limbic brain regions relevant to autism phenotypes. Additionally, we show how study outcome varies due to demographic and methodological factors , emphasising the importance of conforming with standardised consensus study designs and transparent reporting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice R Thomson
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King's College London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK; Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Duanghathai Pasanta
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King's College London, UK
| | - Tomoki Arichi
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK; Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nicolaas A Puts
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King's College London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Falcão M, Monteiro P, Jacinto L. Tactile sensory processing deficits in genetic mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 38837765 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Altered sensory processing is a common feature in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Although altered responses to tactile stimuli are observed in over 60% of individuals with ASD, the neurobiological basis of this phenomenon is poorly understood. ASD has a strong genetic component and genetic mouse models can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying tactile abnormalities in ASD. This review critically addresses recent findings regarding tactile processing deficits found in mouse models of ASD, with a focus on behavioral, anatomical, and functional alterations. Particular attention was given to cellular and circuit-level functional alterations, both in the peripheral and central nervous systems, with the objective of highlighting possible convergence mechanisms across models. By elucidating the impact of mutations in ASD candidate genes on somatosensory circuits and correlating them with behavioral phenotypes, this review significantly advances our understanding of tactile deficits in ASD. Such insights not only broaden our comprehension but also pave the way for future therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Falcão
- Department of Biomedicine-Experimental Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Patricia Monteiro
- Department of Biomedicine-Experimental Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Luis Jacinto
- Department of Biomedicine-Experimental Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ranieri A, La Monica I, Di Iorio MR, Lombardo B, Pastore L. Genetic Alterations in a Large Population of Italian Patients Affected by Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:427. [PMID: 38674362 PMCID: PMC11050211 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of complex multifactorial disorders characterized by cognitive impairment, communication deficits, abnormal behaviour, and/or motor skills resulting from abnormal neural development. Copy number variants (CNVs) are genetic alterations often associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. We evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of the array-comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) method and its relevance as a routine diagnostic test in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders for the identification of the molecular alterations underlying or contributing to the clinical manifestations. In the present study, we analysed 1800 subjects with neurodevelopmental disorders using a CGH microarray. We identified 208 (7%) pathogenetic CNVs, 2202 (78%) variants of uncertain significance (VOUS), and 504 (18%) benign CNVs in the 1800 patients analysed. Some alterations contain genes potentially related to neurodevelopmental disorders including CHRNA7, ANKS1B, ANKRD11, RBFOX1, ASTN2, GABRG3, SHANK2, KIF1A SETBP1, SNTG2, CTNNA2, TOP3B, CNTN4, CNTN5, and CNTN6. The identification of interesting significant genes related to neurological disorders with a-CGH is therefore an essential step in the diagnostic procedure, allowing a better understanding of both the pathophysiology of these disorders and the mechanisms underlying their clinical manifestations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annaluisa Ranieri
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (I.L.M.); (M.R.D.I.); (L.P.)
| | - Ilaria La Monica
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (I.L.M.); (M.R.D.I.); (L.P.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Di Iorio
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (I.L.M.); (M.R.D.I.); (L.P.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Lombardo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (I.L.M.); (M.R.D.I.); (L.P.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (I.L.M.); (M.R.D.I.); (L.P.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guo Y, Kang Y, Bai W, Liu Q, Zhang R, Wang Y, Wang C. Perinatal exposure to bisphenol A impairs cognitive function via the gamma-aminobutyric acid signaling pathway in male rat offspring. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:1235-1244. [PMID: 37926988 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common synthetic endocrine disruptor that can be utilized in the fabrication of materials such as polycarbonates and epoxy resins. Numerous studies have linked BPA to learning and memory problems, although the precise mechanism remains unknown. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate central nervous system, and it is intimately related to learning and memory. This study aims to evaluate whether altered cognitive behavior involves the GABA signaling pathway in male offspring of rats exposed to BPA during the prenatal and early postnatal periods. Pregnant rats were orally given BPA (0, 0.04, 0.4, and 4 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day) from the first day of pregnancy to the 21st day of breastfeeding. Three-week-old male rat offspring were selected for an open-field experiment and a new object recognition experiment to evaluate the effect of BPA exposure on cognitive behavior. Furthermore, the role of GABA signaling markers in the cognition affected by BPA was investigated at the molecular level using western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The research demonstrated that BPA exposure impacted the behavior and memory of male rat offspring and elevated the expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), GABA type A receptors subunit (GABAARα1), and GABA vesicle transporter (VGAT) in the hippocampus while decreasing the expression levels of GABA transaminase (GABA-T) and GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1). These findings indicate that the alteration in the expression of GABA signaling molecules may be one of the molecular mechanisms by which perinatal exposure to BPA leads to decreased learning and memory in male rat offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Guo
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuxin Kang
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenjie Bai
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiling Liu
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rongqiang Zhang
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuxin Wang
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chong Wang
- Medical Experiment Center, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tasnim A, Alkislar I, Hakim R, Turecek J, Abdelaziz A, Orefice LL, Ginty DD. The developmental timing of spinal touch processing alterations predicts behavioral changes in genetic mouse models of autism spectrum disorders. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:484-496. [PMID: 38233682 PMCID: PMC10917678 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01552-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Altered somatosensory reactivity is frequently observed among individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Here, we report that although multiple mouse models of ASD exhibit aberrant somatosensory behaviors in adulthood, some models exhibit altered tactile reactivity as early as embryonic development, whereas in others, altered reactivity emerges later in life. Additionally, tactile overreactivity during neonatal development is associated with anxiety-like behaviors and social behavior deficits in adulthood, whereas tactile overreactivity that emerges later in life is not. The locus of circuit disruption dictates the timing of aberrant tactile behaviors, as altered feedback or presynaptic inhibition of peripheral mechanosensory neurons leads to abnormal tactile reactivity during neonatal development, whereas disruptions in feedforward inhibition in the spinal cord lead to touch reactivity alterations that manifest later in life. Thus, the developmental timing of aberrant touch processing can predict the manifestation of ASD-associated behaviors in mouse models, and differential timing of sensory disturbance onset may contribute to phenotypic diversity across individuals with ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aniqa Tasnim
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ilayda Alkislar
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard Hakim
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Josef Turecek
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amira Abdelaziz
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren L Orefice
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David D Ginty
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rodriguez LA, Tran MN, Garcia-Flores R, Oh S, Phillips RA, Pattie EA, Divecha HR, Kim SH, Shin JH, Lee YK, Montoya C, Jaffe AE, Collado-Torres L, Page SC, Martinowich K. TrkB-dependent regulation of molecular signaling across septal cell types. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:52. [PMID: 38263132 PMCID: PMC10805920 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02758-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The lateral septum (LS), a GABAergic structure located in the basal forebrain, is implicated in social behavior, learning, and memory. We previously demonstrated that expression of tropomyosin kinase receptor B (TrkB) in LS neurons is required for social novelty recognition. To better understand molecular mechanisms by which TrkB signaling controls behavior, we locally knocked down TrkB in LS and used bulk RNA-sequencing to identify changes in gene expression downstream of TrkB. TrkB knockdown induces upregulation of genes associated with inflammation and immune responses, and downregulation of genes associated with synaptic signaling and plasticity. Next, we generated one of the first atlases of molecular profiles for LS cell types using single nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq). We identified markers for the septum broadly, and the LS specifically, as well as for all neuronal cell types. We then investigated whether the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by TrkB knockdown map to specific LS cell types. Enrichment testing identified that downregulated DEGs are broadly expressed across neuronal clusters. Enrichment analyses of these DEGs demonstrated that downregulated genes are uniquely expressed in the LS, and associated with either synaptic plasticity or neurodevelopmental disorders. Upregulated genes are enriched in LS microglia, associated with immune response and inflammation, and linked to both neurodegenerative disease and neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition, many of these genes are implicated in regulating social behaviors. In summary, the findings implicate TrkB signaling in the LS as a critical regulator of gene networks associated with psychiatric disorders that display social deficits, including schizophrenia and autism, and with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lionel A Rodriguez
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Matthew Nguyen Tran
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Renee Garcia-Flores
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Seyun Oh
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Robert A Phillips
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Pattie
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Heena R Divecha
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sun Hong Kim
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Joo Heon Shin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yong Kyu Lee
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Carly Montoya
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Andrew E Jaffe
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Leonardo Collado-Torres
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Stephanie C Page
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Keri Martinowich
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li M, Yang J, Li J, Zhou Y, Li X, Ma Z, Li X, Ma H, Ye X. Epiberberine induced p53/p21-dependent G2/M cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis in gastric cancer cells by activating γ-aminobutyric acid receptor- β3. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 123:155198. [PMID: 38006806 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Epiberberine (EPI) is one of the most important bioalkaloid found in the rhizome of Coptis chinensis, which has been observed to exhibit pharmaceutical effects against gastric cancer (GC). Nevertheless, the potential mechanism of EPI against GC cells still remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the core receptor on GC cells through which EPI inhibited the growth of GC cells and to explore the underlying inhibitory mechanisms. METHODS To identify hub receptor targets that respond to EPI treatment, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data from a tumor-bearing mouse model were analyzed using bioinformatics method and molecular docking. The binding interaction between EPI and GABRB3 was validated through western blotting based-cellular thermal shift assay (WB-CETSA). To further verify the binding region between EPI and GABRB3 through circular dichroism (CD) chromatography, fragments of the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the GABRB3 protein were expressed and purified in vitro. Stable cell lines with the overexpression or knockdown of GABRB3 were established using the recombinant lentivirus system. MTT ((3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide)) assay, colony formation assay, invasion and migration experiments, and flow cytometry were conducted to validate the inhibitory effect of EPI on the GC cells via GABRB3. Additionally, western blotting was utilized to explore the potential inhibitory mechanisms. RESULTS Through the combination of multiple bioinformatics methods and molecular docking, we found that the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit -β3 (GABRB3) might be the critical receptor target in response to EPI treatment. The results of WB-CETSA analysis indicated that EPI significantly promoted the thermostability of the GABRB3 protein. Importantly, EPI could directly bind to GABRB3 and alter the secondary structure of GABRB3 fragments similar to the natural agonist, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The EPI-induced suppression of the malignant phenotype of GC cells was dependent on the presence of GABRB3. GABRB3 expression was positively correlated with TP53 in patients with GC. The binding of EPI to GABRB3 stimulated p53 accumulation in GC cells. This activated the p21/CDK1/cyclinB1 pathway, resulting in G2/M cell cycle arrest, and induced the Bcl-2/BAX/Caspase axis-dependent cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION This study revealed the target receptor for EPI in GC cells and provided new insights into its anticancer mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Li
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jiaye Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiaoduo Li
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zhengcai Ma
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xuegang Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Hang Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
| | - Xiaoli Ye
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development and Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Parrella NF, Hill AT, Dipnall LM, Loke YJ, Enticott PG, Ford TC. Inhibitory dysfunction and social processing difficulties in autism: A comprehensive narrative review. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 169:113-125. [PMID: 38016393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has a prominent role in regulating neural development and function, with disruption to GABAergic signalling linked to behavioural phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism. Such neurochemical disruption, likely resulting from diverse genetic and molecular mechanisms, particularly during early development, can subsequently affect the cellular balance of excitation and inhibition in neuronal circuits, which may account for the social processing difficulties observed in autism and related conditions. This comprehensive narrative review integrates diverse streams of research from several disciplines, including molecular neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics, and systems neuroscience. In so doing it aims to elucidate the relevance of inhibitory dysfunction to autism, with specific focus on social processing difficulties that represent a core feature of this disorder. Many of the social processing difficulties experienced in autism have been linked to higher levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and/or lower levels of inhibitory GABA. While current therapeutic options for social difficulties in autism are largely limited to behavioural interventions, this review highlights the psychopharmacological studies that explore the utility of GABA modulation in alleviating such difficulties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aron T Hill
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lillian M Dipnall
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Early Life Epigenetics Group, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Yuk Jing Loke
- Epigenetics Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter G Enticott
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Talitha C Ford
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cowen MH, Reddy KC, Chalasani SH, Hart MP. Conserved autism-associated genes tune social feeding behavior in C. elegans. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.05.570116. [PMID: 38106124 PMCID: PMC10723370 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.05.570116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Animal foraging is an essential and evolutionarily conserved behavior that occurs in social and solitary contexts, but the underlying molecular pathways are not well defined. We discover that conserved autism-associated genes (NRXN1(nrx-1), NLGN3(nlg-1), GRIA1,2,3(glr-1), GRIA2(glr-2), and GLRA2,GABRA3(avr-15)) regulate aggregate feeding in C. elegans, a simple social behavior. NRX-1 functions in chemosensory neurons (ADL and ASH) independently of its postsynaptic partner NLG-1 to regulate social feeding. Glutamate from these neurons is also crucial for aggregate feeding, acting independently of NRX-1 and NLG-1. Compared to solitary counterparts, social animals show faster presynaptic release and more presynaptic release sites in ASH neurons, with only the latter requiring nrx-1. Disruption of these distinct signaling components additively converts behavior from social to solitary. Aggregation induced by circuit activation is also dependent on nrx-1. Collectively, we find that aggregate feeding is tuned by conserved autism-associated genes through complementary synaptic mechanisms, revealing molecular principles driving social feeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mara H. Cowen
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kirthi C. Reddy
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | | | - Michael P. Hart
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Plueckebaum H, Meyer L, Beck AK, Menn KH. The developmental trajectory of functional excitation-inhibition balance relates to language abilities in autistic and allistic children. Autism Res 2023; 16:1681-1692. [PMID: 37493078 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that has been related to an overall imbalance between the brain's excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) systems. Such an EI imbalance can lead to structural and functional cortical deviances and thus alter information processing in the brain, ultimately giving rise to autism traits. However, the developmental trajectory of EI imbalances across childhood and adolescence has not been investigated yet. Therefore, its relationship to autism traits is not well understood. In the present study, we determined a functional measure of the EI balance (f-EIB) from resting-state electrophysiological recordings for a final sample of 92 autistic children from 6 to 17 years of age and 100 allistic (i.e., non-autistic) children matched by age, sex, and nonverbal-IQ. We related the developmental trajectory of f-EIB to behavioral assessments of autism traits as well as language ability. Our results revealed differential EI trajectories for autistic compared to allistic children. Importantly, the developmental trajectory of f-EIB values related to individual language ability. In particular, elevated excitability in late childhood and early adolescence was linked to decreased listening comprehension. Our findings provide evidence against a general EI imbalance in autistic children when correcting for non-verbal IQ. Instead, we show that the developmental trajectory of EI balance shares variance with autism trait development at a specific age range. This is consistent with the proposal that the late development of inhibitory brain activity is a key substrate of autism traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Plueckebaum
- Research Group Language Cycles, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Center for Cognitive Science, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Lars Meyer
- Research Group Language Cycles, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Clinic for Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Beck
- Center for Cognitive Science, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Katharina H Menn
- Research Group Language Cycles, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School on Neuroscience of Communication: Function, Structure, and Plasticity, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vollweiter D, Shergill JK, Hilse A, Kochlamazashvili G, Koch SP, Mueller S, Boehm-Sturm P, Haucke V, Maritzen T. Intersectin deficiency impairs cortico-striatal neurotransmission and causes obsessive-compulsive behaviors in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304323120. [PMID: 37603735 PMCID: PMC10469033 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304323120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The generation of appropriate behavioral responses involves dedicated neuronal circuits. The cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical loop is especially important for the expression of motor routines and habits. Defects in this circuitry are closely linked to obsessive stereotypic behaviors, hallmarks of neuropsychiatric diseases including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs). However, our knowledge of the essential synaptic machinery required to maintain balanced neurotransmission and plasticity within the cortico-striatal circuitry remains fragmentary. Mutations in the large synaptic scaffold protein intersectin1 (ITSN1) have been identified in patients presenting with ASD symptoms including stereotypic behaviors, although a causal relationship between stereotypic behavior and intersectin function has not been established. We report here that deletion of the two closely related proteins ITSN1 and ITSN2 leads to severe ASD/OCD-like behavioral alterations and defective cortico-striatal neurotransmission in knockout (KO) mice. Cortico-striatal function was compromised at multiple levels in ITSN1/2-depleted animals. Morphological analyses showed that the striatum of intersectin KO mice is decreased in size. Striatal neurons exhibit reduced complexity and an underdeveloped dendritic spine architecture. These morphological abnormalities correlate with defects in cortico-striatal neurotransmission and plasticity as well as reduced N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor currents as a consequence of postsynaptic NMDA receptor depletion. Our findings unravel a physiological role of intersectin in cortico-striatal neurotransmission to counteract ASD/OCD. Moreover, we delineate a molecular pathomechanism for the neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients carrying intersectin mutations that correlates with the observation that NMDA receptor dysfunction is a recurrent feature in the development of ASD/OCD-like symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Vollweiter
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, 13125Berlin, Germany
- Department of Nanophysiology, Faculty of Biology, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, 67663Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Jasmeet Kaur Shergill
- Department of Nanophysiology, Faculty of Biology, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, 67663Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Alexandra Hilse
- Department of Nanophysiology, Faculty of Biology, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, 67663Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Paul Koch
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité 3R | Replace, Reduce, Refine, 10117Berlin, Germany
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology and Center for Stroke Research, Charitéplatz 1, 10117Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, 10117Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Mueller
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité 3R | Replace, Reduce, Refine, 10117Berlin, Germany
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology and Center for Stroke Research, Charitéplatz 1, 10117Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, 10117Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Boehm-Sturm
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité 3R | Replace, Reduce, Refine, 10117Berlin, Germany
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology and Center for Stroke Research, Charitéplatz 1, 10117Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, 10117Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Haucke
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, 13125Berlin, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117Berlin, Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin, Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, 14195Berlin, Germany
| | - Tanja Maritzen
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, 13125Berlin, Germany
- Department of Nanophysiology, Faculty of Biology, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, 67663Kaiserslautern, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Polzin BJ, Stevenson SA, Gammie SC, Riters LV. Distinct patterns of gene expression in the medial preoptic area are related to gregarious singing behavior in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:41. [PMID: 37537543 PMCID: PMC10399071 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00813-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Song performed in flocks by European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), referred to here as gregarious song, is a non-sexual, social behavior performed by adult birds. Gregarious song is thought to be an intrinsically reinforced behavior facilitated by a low-stress, positive affective state that increases social cohesion within a flock. The medial preoptic area (mPOA) is a region known to have a role in the production of gregarious song. However, the neurochemical systems that potentially act within this region to regulate song remain largely unexplored. In this study, we used RNA sequencing to characterize patterns of gene expression in the mPOA of male and female starlings singing gregarious song to identify possibly novel neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, and hormonal pathways that may be involved in the production of gregarious song. RESULTS Differential gene expression analysis and rank rank hypergeometric analysis indicated that dopaminergic, cholinergic, and GABAergic systems were associated with the production of gregarious song, with multiple receptor genes (e.g., DRD2, DRD5, CHRM4, GABRD) upregulated in the mPOA of starlings who sang at high rates. Additionally, co-expression network analyses identified co-expressing gene clusters of glutamate signaling-related genes associated with song. One of these clusters contained five glutamate receptor genes and two glutamate scaffolding genes and was significantly enriched for genetic pathways involved in neurodevelopmental disorders associated with social deficits in humans. Two of these genes, GRIN1 and SHANK2, were positively correlated with performance of gregarious song. CONCLUSIONS This work provides new insights into the role of the mPOA in non-sexual, gregarious song in starlings and highlights candidate genes that may play a role in gregarious social interactions across vertebrates. The provided data will also allow other researchers to compare across species to identify conserved systems that regulate social behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon J Polzin
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Sharon A Stevenson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Stephen C Gammie
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lauren V Riters
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rodriguez LA, Tran MN, Garcia-Flores R, Pattie EA, Divecha HR, Kim SH, Shin JH, Lee YK, Montoya C, Jaffe AE, Collado-Torres L, Page SC, Martinowich K. TrkB-dependent regulation of molecular signaling across septal cell types. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.29.547069. [PMID: 37425939 PMCID: PMC10327212 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.29.547069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The lateral septum (LS), a GABAergic structure located in the basal forebrain, is implicated in social behavior, learning and memory. We previously demonstrated that expression of tropomyosin kinase receptor B (TrkB) in LS neurons is required for social novelty recognition. To better understand molecular mechanisms by which TrkB signaling controls behavior, we locally knocked down TrkB in LS and used bulk RNA-sequencing to identify changes in gene expression downstream of TrkB. TrkB knockdown induces upregulation of genes associated with inflammation and immune responses, and downregulation of genes associated with synaptic signaling and plasticity. Next, we generated one of the first atlases of molecular profiles for LS cell types using single nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq). We identified markers for the septum broadly, and the LS specifically, as well as for all neuronal cell types. We then investigated whether the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by TrkB knockdown map to specific LS cell types. Enrichment testing identified that downregulated DEGs are broadly expressed across neuronal clusters. Enrichment analyses of these DEGs demonstrated that downregulated genes are uniquely expressed in the LS, and associated with either synaptic plasticity or neurodevelopmental disorders. Upregulated genes are enriched in LS microglia, associated with immune response and inflammation, and linked to both neurodegenerative disease and neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition, many of these genes are implicated in regulating social behaviors. In summary, the findings implicate TrkB signaling in the LS as a critical regulator of gene networks associated with psychiatric disorders that display social deficits, including schizophrenia and autism, and with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lionel A. Rodriguez
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Matthew Nguyen Tran
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Renee Garcia-Flores
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Pattie
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Heena R. Divecha
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sun Hong Kim
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Joo Heon Shin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yong Kyu Lee
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Carly Montoya
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Andrew E. Jaffe
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Leonardo Collado-Torres
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Stephanie C. Page
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Keri Martinowich
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Stanley OR, Swaminathan A, Wojahn E, Ahmed ZM, Cullen KE. An Open-Source Tool for Automated Human-Level Circling Behavior Detection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.30.540066. [PMID: 37398316 PMCID: PMC10312579 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.30.540066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying behavior and relating it to underlying biological states is of paramount importance in many life science fields. Although barriers to recording postural data have been reduced by progress in deep-learning-based computer vision tools for keypoint tracking, extracting specific behaviors from this data remains challenging. Manual behavior coding, the present gold standard, is labor-intensive and subject to intra- and inter-observer variability. Automatic methods are stymied by the difficulty of explicitly defining complex behaviors, even ones which appear obvious to the human eye. Here, we demonstrate an effective technique for detecting one such behavior, a form of locomotion characterized by stereotyped spinning, termed 'circling'. Though circling has an extensive history as a behavioral marker, at present there exists no standard automated detection method. Accordingly, we developed a technique to identify instances of the behavior by applying simple postprocessing to markerless keypoint data from videos of freely-exploring (Cib2-/-;Cib3-/-) mutant mice, a strain we previously found to exhibit circling. Our technique agrees with human consensus at the same level as do individual observers, and it achieves >90% accuracy in discriminating videos of wild type mice from videos of mutants. As using this technique requires no experience writing or modifying code, it also provides a convenient, noninvasive, quantitative tool for analyzing circling mouse models. Additionally, as our approach was agnostic to the underlying behavior, these results support the feasibility of algorithmically detecting specific, research-relevant behaviors using readily-interpretable parameters tuned on the basis of human consensus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O R Stanley
- Dept. Biomedical Engineering; Johns Hopkins University
| | - A Swaminathan
- Dept. Biomedical Engineering; Johns Hopkins University
| | - E Wojahn
- Dept. Biomedical Engineering; Johns Hopkins University
| | - Z M Ahmed
- Depts. Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Ophthalmology; University of Maryland School of Medicine
| | - K E Cullen
- Dept. Biomedical Engineering; Johns Hopkins University
- Depts. Neuroscience, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tasnim A, Alkislar I, Hakim R, Turecek J, Abdelaziz A, Orefice LL, Ginty DD. The developmental timing of spinal touch processing alterations and its relation to ASD-associated behaviors in mouse models. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.09.539589. [PMID: 37214862 PMCID: PMC10197556 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.09.539589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Altered somatosensory reactivity is frequently observed among individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Here, we report that while multiple mouse models of ASD exhibit aberrant somatosensory behaviors in adulthood, some models exhibit altered tactile reactivity as early as embryonic development, while in others, altered reactivity emerges later in life. Additionally, tactile over-reactivity during neonatal development is associated with anxiety-like behaviors and social interaction deficits in adulthood, whereas tactile over-reactivity that emerges later in life is not. The locus of circuit disruption dictates the timing of aberrant tactile behaviors: altered feedback or presynaptic inhibition of peripheral mechanosensory neurons leads to abnormal tactile reactivity during neonatal development, while disruptions in feedforward inhibition in the spinal cord lead to touch reactivity alterations that manifest later in life. Thus, the developmental timing of aberrant touch processing can predict the manifestation of ASD-associated behaviors in mouse models, and differential timing of sensory disturbance onset may contribute to phenotypic diversity across individuals with ASD.
Collapse
|
16
|
Shin HS, Lee SH, Moon HJ, So YH, Lee HR, Lee EH, Jung EM. Exposure to polystyrene particles causes anxiety-, depression-like behavior and abnormal social behavior in mice. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 454:131465. [PMID: 37130475 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In the era of plastic use, organisms are constantly exposed to polystyrene particles (PS-Ps). PS-Ps accumulated in living organisms exert negative effects on the body, although studies evaluating their effects on brain development are scarce. In this study, the effects of PS-Ps on nervous system development were investigated using cultured primary cortical neurons and mice exposed to PS-Ps at different stages of brain development. The gene expression associated with brain development was downregulated in embryonic brains following PS-Ps exposure, and Gabra2 expression decreased in the embryonic and adult mice exposed to PS-Ps. Additionally, offspring of PS-Ps-treated dams exhibited signs of anxiety- and depression-like behavior, and abnormal social behavior. We propose that PS-Ps accumulation in the brain disrupts brain development and behavior in mice. This study provides novel information regarding PS-Ps toxicity and its harmful effects on neural development and behavior in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Seung Shin
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Jung Moon
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Hee So
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Ram Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Man Jung
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Deficits in Cerebellum-Dependent Learning and Cerebellar Morphology in Male and Female BTBR Autism Model Mice. NEUROSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci3040045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of the cerebellum in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To better understand the pathophysiological role of the cerebellum in ASD, it is necessary to have a variety of mouse models that have face validity for cerebellar disruption in humans. Here, we add to the literature on the cerebellum in mouse models of autism with the characterization of the cerebellum in the idiopathic BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) inbred mouse strain, which has behavioral phenotypes that are reminiscent of ASD in patients. When we examined both male and female BTBR mice in comparison to C57BL/6J (C57) controls, we noted that both sexes of BTBR mice showed motor coordination deficits characteristic of cerebellar dysfunction, but only the male mice showed differences in delay eyeblink conditioning, a cerebellum-dependent learning task that is known to be disrupted in ASD patients. Both male and female BTBR mice showed considerable expansion of, and abnormal foliation in, the cerebellum vermis—including a significant expansion of specific lobules in the anterior cerebellum. In addition, we found a slight but significant decrease in Purkinje cell density in both male and female BTBR mice, irrespective of the lobule. Finally, there was a marked reduction of Purkinje cell dendritic spine density in both male and female BTBR mice. These findings suggest that, for the most part, the BTBR mouse model phenocopies many of the characteristics of the subpopulation of ASD patients that have a hypertrophic cerebellum. We discuss the significance of strain differences in the cerebellum as well as the importance of this first effort to identify both similarities and differences between male and female BTBR mice with regard to the cerebellum.
Collapse
|
18
|
Wu K, Shepard RD, Castellano D, Han W, Tian Q, Dong L, Lu W. Shisa7 phosphorylation regulates GABAergic transmission and neurodevelopmental behaviors. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:2160-2170. [PMID: 35534528 PMCID: PMC9556544 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01334-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
GABA-A receptors (GABAARs) are crucial for development and function of the brain. Altered GABAergic transmission is hypothesized to be involved in neurodevelopmental disorders. Recently, we identified Shisa7 as a GABAAR auxiliary subunit that modulates GABAAR trafficking and GABAergic transmission. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here we generated a knock-in (KI) mouse line that is phospho-deficient at a phosphorylation site in Shisa7 (S405) and combined with electrophysiology, imaging and behavioral assays to illustrate the role of this site in GABAergic transmission and plasticity as well as behaviors. We found that expression of phospho-deficient mutants diminished α2-GABAAR trafficking in heterologous cells. Additionally, α1/α2/α5-GABAAR surface expression and GABAergic inhibition were decreased in hippocampal neurons in KI mice. Moreover, chemically induced inhibitory long-term potentiation was abolished in KI mice. Lastly, KI mice exhibited hyperactivity, increased grooming and impaired sleep homeostasis. Collectively, our study reveals a phosphorylation site critical for Shisa7-dependent GABAARs trafficking which contributes to behavioral endophenotypes displayed in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kunwei Wu
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ryan David Shepard
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - David Castellano
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Wenyan Han
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Qingjun Tian
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Lijin Dong
- Genetic Engineering Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Wei Lu
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Investigating the Role of GABA in Neural Development and Disease Using Mice Lacking GAD67 or VGAT Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147965. [PMID: 35887307 PMCID: PMC9318753 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal development and function of the central nervous system involves a balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. Activity of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons is modulated by inhibitory signalling of the GABAergic and glycinergic systems. Mechanisms that regulate formation, maturation, refinement, and maintenance of inhibitory synapses are established in early life. Deviations from ideal excitatory and inhibitory balance, such as down-regulated inhibition, are linked with many neurological diseases, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders. In the mammalian forebrain, GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, binding to GABA receptors, opening chloride channels and hyperpolarizing the cell. We review the involvement of down-regulated inhibitory signalling in neurological disorders, possible mechanisms for disease progression, and targets for therapeutic intervention. We conclude that transgenic models of disrupted inhibitory signalling—in GAD67+/− and VGAT−/− mice—are useful for investigating the effects of down-regulated inhibitory signalling in a range of neurological diseases.
Collapse
|
20
|
Hong I, Kaang B. The complexity of ventral CA1 and its multiple functionalities. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 21:e12826. [PMID: 35815710 PMCID: PMC9744572 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus is one of the most widely investigated brain regions with its massive contributions to multiple behaviours. Especially, the hippocampus is subdivided into the dorsal and ventral parts playing distinct roles. In this review, we will focus on the ventral hippocampus, especially the ventral CA1 (vCA1), whose role is being actively discovered. vCA1 is well known to be associated with emotion-like behaviour, in both positive (reward) and negative (aversive) stimuli. How can this small region in volume mediate such variety of responses? This question will be answered with technologies up to date that have allowed us to study in-depth the specific neural circuit and to map the complex connectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilgang Hong
- School of Biological SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulSouth Korea
| | - Bong‐Kiun Kaang
- School of Biological SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulSouth Korea
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Chu MC, Wu HF, Lee CW, Chung YJ, Chi H, Chen PS, Lin HC. Generational synaptic functions of GABA A receptor β3 subunit deteriorations in an animal model of social deficit. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:51. [PMID: 35821032 PMCID: PMC9277936 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00835-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruption of normal brain development is implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders with neurodevelopmental origins, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Widespread abnormalities in brain structure and functions caused by dysregulations of neurodevelopmental processes has been recently shown to exert adverse effects across generations. An imbalance between excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) transmission is the putative hypothesis of ASD pathogenesis, supporting by the specific implications of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system in autistic individuals and animal models of ASD. However, the contribution of GABAergic system in the neuropathophysiology across generations of ASD is still unknown. Here, we uncover profound alterations in the expression and function of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) in the amygdala across generations of the VPA-induced animal model of ASD. METHODS The F2 generation was produced by mating an F1 VPA-induced male offspring with naïve females after a single injection of VPA on embryonic day (E12.5) in F0. Autism-like behaviors were assessed by animal behavior tests. Expression and functional properties of GABAARs and related proteins were examined by using western blotting and electrophysiological techniques. RESULTS Social deficit, repetitive behavior, and emotional comorbidities were demonstrated across two generations of the VPA-induced offspring. Decreased synaptic GABAAR and gephyrin levels, and inhibitory transmission were found in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with greater reductions in the F2 generation. Weaker association of gephyrin with GABAAR was shown in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Moreover, dysregulated NMDA-induced enhancements of gephyrin and GABAAR at the synapse in the VPA-induced offspring was worsened in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Elevated glutamatergic modifications were additionally shown across generations of the VPA-induced offspring without generation difference. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings revealed the E/I synaptic abnormalities in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with GABAergic deteriorations in the F2 generation, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of the GABAergic system to generational pathophysiology of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chia Chu
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Han-Fang Wu
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wei Lee
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Jung Chung
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Hsiang Chi
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Po See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan. .,Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Ching Lin
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan. .,Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan. .,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Dougnon G, Matsui H. Modelling Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Using Mice and Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147550. [PMID: 35886894 PMCID: PMC9319972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two debilitating neurodevelopmental disorders. The former is associated with social impairments whereas the latter is associated with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There is recent evidence that both disorders are somehow related and that genes may play a large role in these disorders. Despite mounting human and animal research, the neurological pathways underlying ASD and ADHD are still not well understood. Scientists investigate neurodevelopmental disorders by using animal models that have high similarities in genetics and behaviours with humans. Mice have been utilized in neuroscience research as an excellent animal model for a long time; however, the zebrafish has attracted much attention recently, with an increasingly large number of studies using this model. In this review, we first discuss ASD and ADHD aetiology from a general point of view to their characteristics and treatments. We also compare mice and zebrafish for their similarities and discuss their advantages and limitations in neuroscience. Finally, we summarize the most recent and existing research on zebrafish and mouse models of ASD and ADHD. We believe that this review will serve as a unique document providing interesting information to date about these models, thus facilitating research on ASD and ADHD.
Collapse
|
23
|
Nunes C, Gorczyca G, Mendoza-deGyves E, Ponti J, Bogni A, Carpi D, Bal-Price A, Pistollato F. Upscaling biological complexity to boost neuronal and oligodendroglia maturation and improve in vitro developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) evaluation. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 110:124-140. [PMID: 35378221 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuronal and glial cell models are suitable to assess the effects of environmental chemicals on the developing brain. Such test systems can recapitulate several key neurodevelopmental features, such as neural stem cell formation and differentiation towards different neuronal subtypes and astrocytes, neurite outgrowth, synapse formation and neuronal network formation and function, which are crucial for brain development. While monolayer, two-dimensional (2D) cultures of human iPSC-neuronal or glial derivatives are generally suited for high-throughput testing, they also show some limitations. In particular, differentiation towards myelinating oligodendrocytes can only be achieved after extended periods in differentiation. In recent years, the implementation of three-dimensional (3D) neuronal and glial models obtained from human iPSCs has been shown to compensate for such limitations, enabling robust differentiation towards both neuronal and glial cell populations, myelination and formation of more mature neuronal network activity. Here we compared the differentiation capacity of human iPSC-derived neural stem cells cultured either as 2D monolayer or as 3D neurospheres, and assessed chlorpyrifos (CPF) effects. Data indicate that 3D neurospheres differentiate towards neurons and oligodendroglia more rapidly than 2D cultures; however, the 2D model is more suitable to assess neuronal functionality by analysis of spontaneous electrical activity using multielectrode array. Moreover, 2D and 3D test systems are diversely susceptible to CPF treatment. In conclusion, the selection of the most suitable in vitro test system (either 2D or 3D) should take into account the context of use and intended research goals ('fit for purpose' principle).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Nunes
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gabriela Gorczyca
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Jessica Ponti
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Alessia Bogni
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Donatella Carpi
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mapelli L, Soda T, D’Angelo E, Prestori F. The Cerebellar Involvement in Autism Spectrum Disorders: From the Social Brain to Mouse Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073894. [PMID: 35409253 PMCID: PMC8998980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders that include a variety of forms and clinical phenotypes. This heterogeneity complicates the clinical and experimental approaches to ASD etiology and pathophysiology. To date, a unifying theory of these diseases is still missing. Nevertheless, the intense work of researchers and clinicians in the last decades has identified some ASD hallmarks and the primary brain areas involved. Not surprisingly, the areas that are part of the so-called “social brain”, and those strictly connected to them, were found to be crucial, such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, limbic system, and dopaminergic pathways. With the recent acknowledgment of the cerebellar contribution to cognitive functions and the social brain, its involvement in ASD has become unmistakable, though its extent is still to be elucidated. In most cases, significant advances were made possible by recent technological developments in structural/functional assessment of the human brain and by using mouse models of ASD. Mouse models are an invaluable tool to get insights into the molecular and cellular counterparts of the disease, acting on the specific genetic background generating ASD-like phenotype. Given the multifaceted nature of ASD and related studies, it is often difficult to navigate the literature and limit the huge content to specific questions. This review fulfills the need for an organized, clear, and state-of-the-art perspective on cerebellar involvement in ASD, from its connections to the social brain areas (which are the primary sites of ASD impairments) to the use of monogenic mouse models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Mapelli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Teresa Soda
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Egidio D’Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
- Brain Connectivity Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Prestori
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (T.S.); (E.D.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (F.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Mylonas D, Machado S, Larson O, Patel R, Cox R, Vangel M, Maski K, Stickgold R, Manoach DS. Dyscoordination of non-rapid eye movement sleep oscillations in autism spectrum disorder. Sleep 2022; 45:6505127. [DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study Objectives
Converging evidence from neuroimaging, sleep, and genetic studies suggest that dysregulation of thalamocortical interactions mediated by the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Sleep spindles assay TRN function, and their coordination with cortical slow oscillations (SOs) indexes thalamocortical communication. These oscillations mediate memory consolidation during sleep. In the present study, we comprehensively characterized spindles and their coordination with SOs in relation to memory and age in children with ASD.
Methods
Nineteen children and adolescents with ASD, without intellectual disability, and 18 typically developing (TD) peers, aged 9–17, completed a home polysomnography study with testing on a spatial memory task before and after sleep. Spindles, SOs, and their coordination were characterized during stages 2 (N2) and 3 (N3) non-rapid eye movement sleep.
Results
ASD participants showed disrupted SO-spindle coordination during N2 sleep. Spindles peaked later in SO upstates and their timing was less consistent. They also showed a spindle density (#/min) deficit during N3 sleep. Both groups showed significant sleep-dependent memory consolidation, but their relations with spindle density differed. While TD participants showed the expected positive correlations, ASD participants showed the opposite.
Conclusions
The disrupted SO-spindle coordination and spindle deficit provide further evidence of abnormal thalamocortical interactions and TRN dysfunction in ASD. The inverse relations of spindle density with memory suggest a different function for spindles in ASD than TD. We propose that abnormal sleep oscillations reflect genetically mediated disruptions of TRN-dependent thalamocortical circuit development that contribute to the manifestations of ASD and are potentially treatable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Mylonas
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Sasha Machado
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olivia Larson
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,USA
| | - Rudra Patel
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roy Cox
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Sleep and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - Mark Vangel
- Department of Biostatistics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,USA
| | - Kiran Maski
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert Stickgold
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dara S Manoach
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zaletaev DV, Nemtsova MV, Strelnikov VV. Epigenetic Regulation Disturbances on Gene Expression in Imprinting Diseases. Mol Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893321050149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
27
|
Cerebellar Structure and Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder. JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND BRAIN SCIENCE 2022; 7. [PMID: 35978711 PMCID: PMC9380863 DOI: 10.20900/jpbs.20220003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by early-onset repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, sensory and motor difficulties, and impaired social interactions. Converging evidence from neuroimaging, lesion and postmortem studies, and rodent models suggests cerebellar involvement in ASD and points to promising targets for therapeutic interventions for the disorder. This review elucidates understanding of cerebellar mechanisms in ASD by integrating and contextualizing recent structural and functional cerebellar research.
Collapse
|
28
|
Dichter GS, Rodriguez-Romaguera J. Anhedonia and Hyperhedonia in Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 58:237-254. [PMID: 35397066 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by impaired social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests, ASD is also characterized by impaired motivational processes. The "social motivation theory of autism" describes how social motivation disruptions in ASD in early childhood may impede the drive to engage in reciprocal social behaviors and ultimately interfere with the development of neural networks critical for social communication (Chevallier et al., Trends Cogn Sci 16:231-239, 2012b). Importantly, clinical studies and preclinical research using model organisms for ASD indicate that motivational impairments in ASD are not constrained to social rewards but are evident in response to a range of nonsocial rewards as well. Additionally, translational studies on certain genetically defined neurodevelopmental disorders associated with ASD indicate that these syndromic forms of ASD are also characterized by motivational deficits and mesolimbic dopamine impairments. In this chapter we summarize clinical and preclinical research relevant to reward processing impairments in ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders. We also propose a nosology to describe reward processing impairments in these disorders that uses a three-axes model. In this triaxial nosology, the first axis defines the direction of the reward response (i.e., anhedonic, hyperhedonic); the second axis defines the construct of the reward process (e.g., reward liking, reward wanting); and the third axis defines the context of the reward response (e.g., social, nonsocial). A more precise nosology for describing reward processing impairments in ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders will aid in the translation of preclinical research to clinical investigations which will ultimately help to speed up the development of interventions that target motivational systems for ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel S Dichter
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Jiang S, He M, Xiao L, Sun Y, Ding J, Li W, Guo B, Wang L, Wang Y, Gao C, Sun T, Wang F. Prenatal GABAB Receptor Agonist Administration Corrects the Inheritance of Autism-Like Core Behaviors in Offspring of Mice Prenatally Exposed to Valproic Acid. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:835993. [PMID: 35492716 PMCID: PMC9051083 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.835993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was performed to evaluate the effects of prenatal baclofen (a GABAB receptor agonist) treatment on the inheritance of autism-like behaviors in valproic acid (VPA)-exposed mice. VPA model mice (first generation, F1) that were prenatally exposed to VPA exhibited robust core autism-like behaviors, and we found that oral administration of baclofen to F1 mice corrected their autism-like behavioral phenotypes at an early age. Based on a previous epigenetics study, we mated the F1 male offspring with litter females to produce the second generation (F2). The F2 male mice showed obvious inheritance of autism-like phenotypes from F1 mice, implying the heritability of autism symptoms in patients with prenatal VPA exposure. Furthermore, we found prenatal baclofen administration was associated with beneficial effects on the autism-like phenotype in F2 male mice. This may have involved corrections in the density of total/mature dendritic spines in the hippocampus (HC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), normalizing synaptic plasticity. In this research, GABAB receptor agonist administration corrected the core autism-like behaviors of F1 mice and protected against the inheritance of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring of F1 mice, suggesting the potential of early intervention with GABAB receptor agonists in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shucai Jiang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Maotao He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Lifei Xiao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jiangwei Ding
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Baorui Guo
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Caibin Gao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Williams OOF, Coppolino M, Perreault ML. Sex differences in neuronal systems function and behaviour: beyond a single diagnosis in autism spectrum disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:625. [PMID: 34887388 PMCID: PMC8660826 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01757-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is associated with functional brain alterations that underlie the expression of behaviour. Males are diagnosed up to four times more than females, and sex differences have been identified in memory, cognitive flexibility, verbal fluency, and social communication. Unfortunately, there exists a lack of information on the sex-dependent mechanisms of ASD, as well as biological markers to distinguish sex-specific symptoms in ASD. This can often result in a standardized diagnosis for individuals across the spectrum, despite significant differences in the various ASD subtypes. Alterations in neuronal connectivity and oscillatory activity, such as is observed in ASD, are highly coupled to behavioural states. Yet, despite the well-identified sexual dimorphisms that exist in ASD, these functional patterns have rarely been analyzed in the context of sex differences or symptomology. This review summarizes alterations in neuronal oscillatory function in ASD, discusses the age, region, symptom and sex-specific differences that are currently observed across the spectrum, and potential targets for regulating neuronal oscillatory activity in ASD. The need to identify sex-specific biomarkers, in order to facilitate specific diagnostic criteria and allow for more targeted therapeutic approaches for ASD will also be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Melissa L Perreault
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Choi Y, Kim M, Ha SY, Han GM, Yim UH, Jung JH. Sediment quality assessment combining chemical and biological (non)target analysis. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 238:105883. [PMID: 34311228 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic sediments act as a storage for diverse mixtures of organic and inorganic contaminants. Nevertheless, most evaluations of contaminated sediments have been limited to the assessment of concentrations of target compounds and lethal effects on some test species. To identify the organic contaminants causing sub-lethal effects of contaminated sediment, this study combined chemical and biological (non)target analysis involving comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with a time-of-flight Mass Spectrometer (GCxGC/ToF-MS) analysis, embryonic malformation and high-throughput sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis on developing flounder. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were more abundant in the sediment extract of Yeongil Bay (SEY), while Jinhae Bay (SEJ) was contaminated with a large amount of unidentified chemicals. The unidentified chemicals of SEJ included branched alkanes, oxygenated cycloalkanes, heterogeneous hydrocarbons, and other unknown compounds. Percentage of pericardial edema was the highest in embryonic flounder exposed to SEY. Consistent with the morphogenesis results, the expression level of genes related to heart formation including the nkx2.5 and robo1 was greater in embryonic flounder exposed to SEY. In the analyses of differential gene expression profiles (cutoff P < 0.05), by RNA-seq, embryos exposed to SEJ showed changes related to cell differentiation, cell part morphogenesis, neurogenesis, and neuron development. Genes related to neurogenesis and positive regulation of molecular functions variated significantly in embryos exposed to SEY. These results demonstrated the advantages of combining target and non-target analysis to accurately evaluate the major chemical groups causing sediment toxicity. Therefore, this work provided a useful approach to tracking and revealing the causes of toxic effects and identifying potential toxic mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youmi Choi
- Risk Assessment Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Moonkoo Kim
- Risk Assessment Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Yong Ha
- Risk Assessment Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi Myung Han
- Risk Assessment Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea
| | - Un Hyuk Yim
- Risk Assessment Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee-Hyun Jung
- Risk Assessment Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Keller R, Costa T, Imperiale D, Bianco A, Rondini E, Hassiotis A, Bertelli MO. Stereotypies in the Autism Spectrum Disorder: Can We Rely on an Ethological Model? Brain Sci 2021; 11:762. [PMID: 34201177 PMCID: PMC8230333 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stereotypic behaviour can be defined as a clear behavioural pattern where a specific function or target cannot be identified, although it delays on time. Nonetheless, repetitive and stereotypical behaviours play a key role in both animal and human behaviour. Similar behaviours are observed across species, in typical human developmental phases, and in some neuropsychiatric conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disability. This evidence led to the spread of animal models of repetitive behaviours to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these dysfunctional behaviours and to gain better insight into their role and origin within ASD and other disorders. This, in turn, could lead to new treatments of those disorders in humans. METHOD This paper maps the literature on repetitive behaviours in animal models of ASD, in order to improve understanding of stereotypies in persons with ASD in terms of characterization, pathophysiology, genomic and anatomical factors. RESULTS Literature mapping confirmed that phylogenic approach and animal models may help to improve understanding and differentiation of stereotypies in ASD. Some repetitive behaviours appear to be interconnected and mediated by common genomic and anatomical factors across species, mainly by alterations of basal ganglia circuitry. A new distinction between stereotypies and autotypies should be considered. CONCLUSIONS Phylogenic approach and studies on animal models may support clinical issues related to stereotypies in persons with ASD and provide new insights in classification, pathogenesis, and management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Keller
- Adult Autism Centre, Mental Health Department, ASL Città di Torino, 10138 Turin, Italy; (R.K.); (T.C.)
| | - Tatiana Costa
- Adult Autism Centre, Mental Health Department, ASL Città di Torino, 10138 Turin, Italy; (R.K.); (T.C.)
| | - Daniele Imperiale
- Neurology Unit, Maria Vittoria Hospital, ASL Città di Torino, 10144 Turin, Italy;
| | - Annamaria Bianco
- CREA (Research and Clinical Centre), San Sebastiano Foundation, Misericordia di Firenze, 50142 Florence, Italy; (A.B.); (E.R.)
| | - Elisa Rondini
- CREA (Research and Clinical Centre), San Sebastiano Foundation, Misericordia di Firenze, 50142 Florence, Italy; (A.B.); (E.R.)
| | - Angela Hassiotis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London W1T 7NF, UK;
| | - Marco O. Bertelli
- CREA (Research and Clinical Centre), San Sebastiano Foundation, Misericordia di Firenze, 50142 Florence, Italy; (A.B.); (E.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Srivastava P, Kane A, Harrison C, Levin M. A Meta-Analysis of Bioelectric Data in Cancer, Embryogenesis, and Regeneration. Bioelectricity 2021; 3:42-67. [PMID: 34476377 DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2019.0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental bioelectricity is the study of the endogenous role of bioelectrical signaling in all cell types. Resting potentials and other aspects of ionic cell physiology are known to be important regulatory parameters in embryogenesis, regeneration, and cancer. However, relevant quantitative measurement and genetic phenotyping data are distributed throughout wide-ranging literature, hampering experimental design and hypothesis generation. Here, we analyze published studies on bioelectrics and transcriptomic and genomic/phenotypic databases to provide a novel synthesis of what is known in three important aspects of bioelectrics research. First, we provide a comprehensive list of channelopathies-ion channel and pump gene mutations-in a range of important model systems with developmental patterning phenotypes, illustrating the breadth of channel types, tissues, and phyla (including man) in which bioelectric signaling is a critical endogenous aspect of embryogenesis. Second, we perform a novel bioinformatic analysis of transcriptomic data during regeneration in diverse taxa that reveals an electrogenic protein to be the one common factor specifically expressed in regeneration blastemas across Kingdoms. Finally, we analyze data on distinct Vmem signatures in normal and cancer cells, revealing a specific bioelectrical signature corresponding to some types of malignancies. These analyses shed light on fundamental questions in developmental bioelectricity and suggest new avenues for research in this exciting field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pranjal Srivastava
- Rye High School, Rye, New York, USA; Current Affiliation: College of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Anna Kane
- Department of Biology, Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christina Harrison
- Department of Biology, Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Levin
- Department of Biology, Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
The Multi-Targeting Ligand ST-2223 with Histamine H 3 Receptor and Dopamine D 2/D 3 Receptor Antagonist Properties Mitigates Autism-Like Repetitive Behaviors and Brain Oxidative Stress in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041947. [PMID: 33669336 PMCID: PMC7920280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communicative impairments, as well as repetitive and restricted behaviors (RRBs). With the limited effectiveness of current pharmacotherapies in treating repetitive behaviors, the present study determined the effects of acute systemic treatment of the novel multi-targeting ligand ST-2223, with incorporated histamine H3 receptor (H3R) and dopamine D2/D3 receptor affinity properties, on ASD-related RRBs in a male Black and Tan BRachyury (BTBR) mouse model of ASD. ST-2223 (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly mitigated the increase in marble burying and self-grooming, and improved reduced spontaneous alternation in BTBR mice (all p < 0.05). Similarly, reference drugs memantine (MEM, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) and aripiprazole (ARP, 1 mg/kg, i.p.), reversed abnormally high levels of several RRBs in BTBR (p < 0.05). Moreover, ST-2223 palliated the disturbed anxiety levels observed in an open field test (all p < 0.05), but did not restore the hyperactivity parameters, whereas MEM failed to restore mouse anxiety and hyperactivity. In addition, ST-2223 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) mitigated oxidative stress status by decreasing the elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and increasing the levels of decreased glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in different brain parts of treated BTBR mice (all p < 0.05). These preliminary in vivo findings demonstrate the ameliorative effects of ST-2223 on RRBs in a mouse model of ASD, suggesting its pharmacological prospective to rescue core ASD-related behaviors. Further confirmatory investigations on its effects on various brain neurotransmitters, e.g., dopamine and histamine, in different brain regions are still warranted to corroborate and expand these initial data.
Collapse
|
35
|
Gandhi T, Lee CC. Neural Mechanisms Underlying Repetitive Behaviors in Rodent Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 14:592710. [PMID: 33519379 PMCID: PMC7840495 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.592710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is comprised of several conditions characterized by alterations in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the heterogeneous development of ASD behaviors. Several rodent models display ASD-like phenotypes, including repetitive behaviors. In this review article, we discuss the potential neural mechanisms involved in repetitive behaviors in rodent models of ASD and related neuropsychiatric disorders. We review signaling pathways, neural circuits, and anatomical alterations in rodent models that display robust stereotypic behaviors. Understanding the mechanisms and circuit alterations underlying repetitive behaviors in rodent models of ASD will inform translational research and provide useful insight into therapeutic strategies for the treatment of repetitive behaviors in ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Gandhi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kazuki Y, Gao FJ, Li Y, Moyer AJ, Devenney B, Hiramatsu K, Miyagawa-Tomita S, Abe S, Kazuki K, Kajitani N, Uno N, Takehara S, Takiguchi M, Yamakawa M, Hasegawa A, Shimizu R, Matsukura S, Noda N, Ogonuki N, Inoue K, Matoba S, Ogura A, Florea LD, Savonenko A, Xiao M, Wu D, Batista DA, Yang J, Qiu Z, Singh N, Richtsmeier JT, Takeuchi T, Oshimura M, Reeves RH. A non-mosaic transchromosomic mouse model of down syndrome carrying the long arm of human chromosome 21. eLife 2020; 9:56223. [PMID: 32597754 PMCID: PMC7358007 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal models of Down syndrome (DS), trisomic for human chromosome 21 (HSA21) genes or orthologs, provide insights into better understanding and treatment options. The only existing transchromosomic (Tc) mouse DS model, Tc1, carries a HSA21 with over 50 protein coding genes (PCGs) disrupted. Tc1 is mosaic, compromising interpretation of results. Here, we “clone” the 34 MB long arm of HSA21 (HSA21q) as a mouse artificial chromosome (MAC). Through multiple steps of microcell-mediated chromosome transfer, we created a new Tc DS mouse model, Tc(HSA21q;MAC)1Yakaz (“TcMAC21”). TcMAC21 is not mosaic and contains 93% of HSA21q PCGs that are expressed and regulatable. TcMAC21 recapitulates many DS phenotypes including anomalies in heart, craniofacial skeleton and brain, molecular/cellular pathologies, and impairments in learning, memory and synaptic plasticity. TcMAC21 is the most complete genetic mouse model of DS extant and has potential for supporting a wide range of basic and preclinical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Kazuki
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan.,Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Feng J Gao
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Yicong Li
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Anna J Moyer
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Genetic Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Benjamin Devenney
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Kei Hiramatsu
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Sachiko Miyagawa-Tomita
- Department of Animal Nursing Science, Yamazaki University of Animal Health Technology, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Physiological Chemistry and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Abe
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Kanako Kazuki
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Naoyo Kajitani
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Narumi Uno
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Shoko Takehara
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Masato Takiguchi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Miho Yamakawa
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hasegawa
- Department of Molecular Hematology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ritsuko Shimizu
- Department of Molecular Hematology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Satoko Matsukura
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Naohiro Noda
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Narumi Ogonuki
- Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kimiko Inoue
- Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shogo Matoba
- Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- Bioresource Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Liliana D Florea
- Department of Genetic Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Alena Savonenko
- Departments of Pathology and Neurology, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Meifang Xiao
- Department of Neuroscience, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Denise As Batista
- Department of Pathology, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Junhua Yang
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Zhaozhu Qiu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Nandini Singh
- Department of Anthropology, Penn State University, State College, United States
| | - Joan T Richtsmeier
- Division of Biosignaling, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Takashi Takeuchi
- Department of Anthropology, California State University, Sacramento, United States
| | - Mitsuo Oshimura
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Roger H Reeves
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Genetic Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Eissa N, Sadeq A, Sasse A, Sadek B. Role of Neuroinflammation in Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Emergence of Brain Histaminergic System. Lessons Also for BPSD? Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:886. [PMID: 32612529 PMCID: PMC7309953 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Many behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) share similarities in executive functioning and communication deficits with those described in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), epilepsy, schizophrenia (SCH), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Numerous studies over the last four decades have documented altered neuroinflammation among individuals diagnosed with ASD. The purpose of this review is to examine the hypothesis that central histamine (HA) plays a significant role in the regulation of neuroinflammatory processes of microglia functions in numerous neuropsychiatric diseases, i.e., ASD, AD, SCH, and BPSD. In addition, this review summarizes the latest preclinical and clinical results that support the relevance of histamine H1-, H2-, and H3-receptor antagonists for the potential clinical use in ASD, SCH, AD, epilepsy, and BPSD, based on the substantial symptomatic overlap between these disorders with regards to cognitive dysfunction. The review focuses on the histaminergic neurotransmission as relevant in these brain disorders, as well as the effects of a variety of H3R antagonists in animal models and in clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nermin Eissa
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Adel Sadeq
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University of Science and Technology, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Astrid Sasse
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bassem Sadek
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
The Dual-Active Histamine H 3 Receptor Antagonist and Acetylcholine Esterase Inhibitor E100 Alleviates Autistic-Like Behaviors and Oxidative Stress in Valproic Acid Induced Autism in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113996. [PMID: 32503208 PMCID: PMC7312782 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The histamine H3 receptor (H3R) functions as auto- and hetero-receptors, regulating the release of brain histamine (HA) and acetylcholine (ACh), respectively. The enzyme acetylcholine esterase (AChE) is involved in the metabolism of brain ACh. Both brain HA and ACh are implicated in several cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, anxiety, and narcolepsy, all of which are comorbid with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, the novel dual-active ligand E100 with high H3R antagonist affinity (hH3R: Ki = 203 nM) and balanced AChE inhibitory effect (EeAChE: IC50 = 2 µM and EqBuChE: IC50 = 2 µM) was investigated on autistic-like sociability, repetitive/compulsive behaviour, anxiety, and oxidative stress in male C57BL/6 mice model of ASD induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA, 500 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)). Subchronic systemic administration with E100 (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly and dose-dependently attenuated sociability deficits of autistic (VPA) mice in three-chamber behaviour (TCB) test (all p < 0.05). Moreover, E100 significantly improved repetitive and compulsive behaviors by reducing the increased percentage of marbles buried in marble-burying behaviour (MBB) (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, pre-treatment with E100 (10 and 15 mg/kg, i.p.) corrected decreased anxiety levels (p < 0.05), however, failed to restore hyperactivity observed in elevated plus maze (EPM) test. In addition, E100 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) mitigated oxidative stress status by increasing the levels of decreased glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), and decreasing the elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the cerebellar tissues (all p < 0.05). Additionally, E100 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the elevated levels of AChE activity in VPA mice (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate the promising effects of E100 on in-vivo VPA-induced ASD-like features in mice, and provide evidence that a potent dual-active H3R antagonist and AChE inhibitor (AChEI) is a potential drug candidate for future therapeutic management of autistic-like behaviours.
Collapse
|
39
|
Carroll L, Braeutigam S, Dawes JM, Krsnik Z, Kostovic I, Coutinho E, Dewing JM, Horton CA, Gomez-Nicola D, Menassa DA. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Multiple Routes to, and Multiple Consequences of, Abnormal Synaptic Function and Connectivity. Neuroscientist 2020; 27:10-29. [PMID: 32441222 PMCID: PMC7804368 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420921378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of
neurodevelopmental disorders of genetic and environmental etiologies.
Some ASD cases are syndromic: associated with clinically defined
patterns of somatic abnormalities and a neurobehavioral phenotype
(e.g., Fragile X syndrome). Many cases, however, are idiopathic or
non-syndromic. Such disorders present themselves during the early
postnatal period when language, speech, and personality start to
develop. ASDs manifest by deficits in social communication and
interaction, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior across
multiple contexts, sensory abnormalities across multiple modalities
and comorbidities, such as epilepsy among many others. ASDs are
disorders of connectivity, as synaptic dysfunction is common to both
syndromic and idiopathic forms. While multiple theories have been
proposed, particularly in idiopathic ASDs, none address why certain
brain areas (e.g., frontotemporal) appear more vulnerable than others
or identify factors that may affect phenotypic specificity. In this
hypothesis article, we identify possible routes leading to, and the
consequences of, altered connectivity and review the evidence of
central and peripheral synaptic dysfunction in ASDs. We postulate that
phenotypic specificity could arise from aberrant experience-dependent
plasticity mechanisms in frontal brain areas and peripheral sensory
networks and propose why the vulnerability of these areas could be
part of a model to unify preexisting pathophysiological theories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liam Carroll
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Sven Braeutigam
- Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - John M Dawes
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Zeljka Krsnik
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Centre of Research Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivica Kostovic
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Centre of Research Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ester Coutinho
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer M Dewing
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK
| | - Christopher A Horton
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Diego Gomez-Nicola
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - David A Menassa
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK.,Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Altered Expression of GABAergic Markers in the Forebrain of Young and Adult Engrailed-2 Knockout Mice. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11040384. [PMID: 32244845 PMCID: PMC7231099 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired function of GABAergic interneurons, and the subsequent alteration of excitation/inhibition balance, is thought to contribute to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Altered numbers of GABAergic interneurons and reduced expression of GABA receptors has been detected in the brain of ASD subjects and mouse models of ASD. We previously showed a reduced expression of GABAergic interneuron markers parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SST) in the forebrain of adult mice lacking the Engrailed2 gene (En2-/- mice). Here, we extended this analysis to postnatal day (P) 30 by using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative RT-PCR to study the expression of GABAergic interneuron markers in the hippocampus and somatosensory cortex of En2-/- and wild type (WT) mice. In addition, GABA receptor subunit mRNA expression was investigated by quantitative RT-PCR in the same brain regions of P30 and adult En2-/- and WT mice. As observed in adult animals, PV and SST expression was decreased in En2-/- forebrain of P30 mice. The expression of GABA receptor subunits (including the ASD-relevant Gabrb3) was also altered in young and adult En2-/- forebrain. Our results suggest that GABAergic neurotransmission deficits are already evident at P30, confirming that neurodevelopmental defects of GABAergic interneurons occur in the En2 mouse model of ASD.
Collapse
|
41
|
O'Leary H, Vanderlinden L, Southard L, Castano A, Saba LM, Benke TA. Transcriptome analysis of rat dorsal hippocampal CA1 after an early life seizure induced by kainic acid. Epilepsy Res 2020; 161:106283. [PMID: 32062370 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2020.106283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Seizures that occur during early development are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Causation and mechanisms are currently under investigation. Induction of an early life seizure by kainic acid (KA) in immature rats on post-natal day (P) 7 results in behavioral changes in the adult rat that reflect social and intellectual deficits without overt cellular damage. Our previous work also demonstrated increased expression of CA1 hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and reduced desensitization of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-type ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPA-R) one week following a kainic acid induced seizure (KA-ELS). Here we used RNA sequencing (RNAseq) of mRNA from dorsal hippocampal CA1 to probe changes in mRNA levels one week following KA-ELS as a means to investigate the mechanisms for these functional changes. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) confirmed our previous results by predicting an up-regulation of the synaptic LTP pathway. Differential gene expression results revealed significant differences in 7 gene isoforms. Additional assessments included AMPA-R splice variants and adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2) editing sites as a means to determine the mechanism for reduced AMPA-R desensitization. Splice variant analysis demonstrated that KA-ELS result in a small, but significant decrease in the "flop" isoform of Gria3, and editing site analysis revealed significant changes in the editing of a kainate receptor subunit, Grik2, and a serotonin receptor, Htr2c. While these specific changes may not account for altered AMPA-R desensitization, the differences indicate that KA-ELS alters gene expression in the hippocampal CA1 one week after the insult.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather O'Leary
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, 80045, United States.
| | - Lauren Vanderlinden
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, 80045, United States.
| | - Lara Southard
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523, United States.
| | - Anna Castano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, 80045, United States.
| | - Laura M Saba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, 80045, United States.
| | - Tim A Benke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, 80045, United States; Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, 80045, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, 80045, United States; Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, 80045, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, 80045, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Bond C, Johnson J, Chaudhary V, McCarthy E, McWhorter M, Woehrle N. Perinatal fluoxetine exposure results in social deficits and reduced monoamine oxidase gene expression in mice. Brain Res 2020; 1727:146282. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
43
|
Baclofen as an adjuvant therapy for autism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019; 28:1619-1628. [PMID: 30980177 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-019-01333-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that the function of the GABAergic system is abnormally low in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Baclofen, which functions as a selective agonist for GABAB receptors, does appear promising for the treatment of ASD. We conducted a 10-week randomized-controlled study aimed at evaluating the potential of baclofen as an adjuvant therapy to enhance the effect of risperidone in children with ASD. Sixty-four children (3-12 years) with moderate-to-severe irritability symptoms of ASD were included. We used the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Edition (ABC-C) for the outcome measures on each of the follow-up visits (weeks 0, 5, and 10). Analysis of the combined data revealed significant improvement for all the ABC subscales (irritability: F = 51.644, df = 1.66, p < 0.001, lethargy: F = 39.734, df = 1.38, p < 0.001, stereotypic behavior: F = 25.495, df = 1.56, p < 0.001, hyperactivity: F = 54.135, df = 1.35, p < 0.001, and inappropriate speech: F = 19.277, df = 1.47, p = 0.004). Combined treatment with baclofen and risperidone exerted a greater effect on improvement of hyperactivity symptoms at both midpoint [Cohen's d, 95% confidence interval (CI) = - 3.14, - 5.56 to - 0.72] and endpoint (d, 95% CI = - 4.45, - 8.74 to - 0.16) when compared with treatment with placebo plus risperidone. The two treatments achieved comparable results for other outcome measures. Our data support safety and efficacy of baclofen as an adjuvant to risperidone for improvement of hyperactivity symptoms in children with ASD.
Collapse
|
44
|
Thompson SL, Welch AC, Ho EV, Bessa JM, Portugal-Nunes C, Morais M, Young JW, Knowles JA, Dulawa SC. Btbd3 expression regulates compulsive-like and exploratory behaviors in mice. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:222. [PMID: 31501410 PMCID: PMC6733800 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0558-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BTB/POZ domain-containing 3 (BTBD3) was identified as a potential risk gene in the first genome-wide association study of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). BTBD3 is a putative transcription factor implicated in dendritic pruning in developing primary sensory cortices. We assessed whether BTBD3 also regulates neural circuit formation within limbic cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits and behaviors related to OCD in mice. Behavioral phenotypes associated with OCD that are measurable in animals include compulsive-like behaviors and reduced exploration. We tested Btbd3 wild-type, heterozygous, and knockout mice for compulsive-like behaviors including cage-mate barbering, excessive wheel-running, repetitive locomotor patterns, and reduced goal-directed behavior in the probabilistic learning task (PLT), and for exploratory behavior in the open field, digging, and marble-burying tests. Btbd3 heterozygous and knockout mice showed excessive barbering, wheel-running, impaired goal-directed behavior in the PLT, and reduced exploration. Further, chronic treatment with fluoxetine, but not desipramine, reduced barbering in Btbd3 wild-type and heterozygous, but not knockout mice. In contrast, Btbd3 expression did not alter anxiety-like, depression-like, or sensorimotor behaviors. We also quantified dendritic morphology within anterior cingulate cortex, mediodorsal thalamus, and hippocampus, regions of high Btbd3 expression. Surprisingly, Btbd3 knockout mice only showed modest increases in spine density in the anterior cingulate, while dendritic morphology was unaltered elsewhere. Finally, we virally knocked down Btbd3 expression in whole, or just dorsal, hippocampus during neonatal development and assessed behavior during adulthood. Whole, but not dorsal, hippocampal Btbd3 knockdown recapitulated Btbd3 knockout phenotypes. Our findings reveal that hippocampal Btbd3 expression selectively modulates compulsive-like and exploratory behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Summer L Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Committee on Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Amanda C Welch
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Emily V Ho
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - João M Bessa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Carlos Portugal-Nunes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mónica Morais
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - James A Knowles
- Department of Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - Stephanie C Dulawa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Dorninger F, Gundacker A, Zeitler G, Pollak DD, Berger J. Ether Lipid Deficiency in Mice Produces a Complex Behavioral Phenotype Mimicking Aspects of Human Psychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3929. [PMID: 31412538 PMCID: PMC6720005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ether lipids form a specialized subgroup of phospholipids that requires peroxisomes to be synthesized. We have previously detected that deficiency in these lipids leads to a severe disturbance of neurotransmitter homeostasis and release as well as behavioral abnormalities, such as hyperactivity, in a mouse model. Here, we focused on a more detailed examination of the behavioral phenotype of ether lipid-deficient mice (Gnpat KO) and describe a set of features related to human psychiatric disorders. Gnpat KO mice show strongly impaired social interaction as well as nestlet shredding and marble burying, indicating disturbed execution of inborn behavioral patterns. Also, compromised contextual and cued fear conditioning in these animals suggests a considerable memory deficit, thus potentially forming a connection to the previously determined ether lipid deficit in human patients with Alzheimer's disease. Nesting behavior and the preference for social novelty proved normal in ether lipid-deficient mice. In addition, we detected task-specific alterations in paradigms assessing depression- and anxiety-related behavior. The reported behavioral changes may be used as easy readout for the success of novel treatment strategies against ether lipid deficiency in ameliorating nervous system-associated symptoms. Furthermore, our findings underline that ether lipids are paramount for brain function and demonstrate their relevance for cognitive, social, and emotional behavior. We hereby substantially extend previous observations suggesting a link between deficiency in ether lipids and human mental illnesses, particularly autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Dorninger
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Gundacker
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstraße 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard Zeitler
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela D Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstraße 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Johannes Berger
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
|
47
|
Takumi T, Tamada K, Hatanaka F, Nakai N, Bolton PF. Behavioral neuroscience of autism. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 110:60-76. [PMID: 31059731 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Several genetic causes of ASD have been identified and this has enabled researchers to construct mouse models. Mouse behavioral tests reveal impaired social interaction and communication, as well as increased repetitive behavior and behavioral inflexibility in these mice, which correspond to core behavioral deficits observed in individuals with ASD. However, the connection between these behavioral abnormalities and the underlying dysregulation in neuronal circuits and synaptic function is poorly understood. Moreover, different components of the ASD phenotype may be linked to dysfunction in different brain regions, making it even more challenging to chart the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in ASD. Here we summarize the research on mouse models of ASD and their contribution to understanding pathophysiological mechanisms. Specifically, we emphasize abnormal serotonin production and regulation, as well as the disruption in circadian rhythms and sleep that are observed in a subset of ASD, and propose that spatiotemporal disturbances in brainstem development may be a primary cause of ASD that propagates towards the cerebral cortex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Kota Tamada
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | | | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Patrick F Bolton
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
|
49
|
Abnormal repetitive behaviors in zebrafish and their relevance to human brain disorders. Behav Brain Res 2019; 367:101-110. [PMID: 30926483 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs) are a prominent symptom of numerous human brain disorders and are commonly seen in rodent models as well. While rodent studies of ARBs continue to dominate the field, mounting evidence suggests that zebrafish (Danio rerio) also display ARB-like phenotypes and may therefore be a novel model organism for ARB research. In addition to clear practical research advantages as a model species, zebrafish share high genetic and physiological homology to humans and rodents, including multiple ARB-related genes and robust behaviors relevant to ARB. Here, we discuss a wide spectrum of stereotypic repetitive behaviors in zebrafish, data on their genetic and pharmacological modulation, and the overall translational relevance of fish ARBs to modeling human brain disorders. Overall, the zebrafish is rapidly emerging as a new promising model to study ARBs and their underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
|
50
|
Purtell H, Dhamne SC, Gurnani S, Bainbridge E, Modi ME, Lammers SHT, Super CE, Hameed MQ, Johnson EL, Sahin M, Rotenberg A. Electrographic spikes are common in wildtype mice. Epilepsy Behav 2018; 89:94-98. [PMID: 30399547 PMCID: PMC7325561 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
High-voltage rhythmic electroencephalographic (EEG) spikes have been recorded in wildtype (WT) rats during periods of light slow-wave sleep and passive wakefulness. The source of this activity is unclear but has been attributed to either an inherent form of absence epilepsy or a normal feature of rodent sleep EEG. In contrast, little is known about epileptiform spikes in WT mice. We thus characterize and quantify epileptiform discharges in WT mice for the first time. Thirty-six male WT C57 mice with 24-h wireless telemetry video-EEG recordings were manually scored by blinded reviewers to mark individual spikes and spike trains. Epileptiform spikes were detected in 100% of the recorded WT mice, and spike trains of at least three spikes were recorded in 90% of mice. The spikes were more frequent during the day than at night and were inversely correlated to each animal's locomotor activity. However, the discharges were not absent during active nighttime periods. These discharges may indicate a baseline tendency toward epileptic seizures or perhaps are benign variants of normal rodent background EEG. Nevertheless, a better understanding of baseline WT EEG activity will aid in differentiating pathological and normal EEG activity in mouse epilepsy models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Purtell
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Sameer C Dhamne
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Sarika Gurnani
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Bainbridge
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Meera E Modi
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Stephen H T Lammers
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Chloe E Super
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Mustafa Q Hameed
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Ervin L Johnson
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Alexander Rotenberg
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|